What Does It Mean To Be In A Flood Zone?

Flood zones are geographical areas delineated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Each tract of land is meticulously mapped and categorized into a specific flood zone. FEMA's flood maps delineate zones that are further subdivided into distinct areas.

• Zone AE: An area demarcated as Zone AE possesses a 1% probability of experiencing a flood annually, thus earning it the label, the "100-year flood plain". These territories are deemed to be at high risk of flooding. Over the lifespan of a 30-year mortgage, the property located here has a 26% chance of being subjected to a flood.
• Zone X (Shaded): A shaded Zone X represents an area that encounters a 0.2% to 1% chance of flooding annually. These regions lie between the boundaries of the 100-year and the 500-year flood plains. These locales are perceived as bearing a moderate risk of flooding. Typical shaded Zone X areas include those shielded by a levee, or relatively flat areas adjacent to Zone AE, possessing less than 1 foot of drainage depth per square mile.
• Zone X (Unshaded): An unshaded Zone X indicates an area that harbors less than a 0.2% chance of flooding each year, thereby earning it the title of the 500-year flood plain. This zone is seen as carrying a minimal risk of flooding.

It's crucial to remember that every property finds itself situated within a flood zone. The actual concern lies in identifying which flood zone your property is in and comprehending the associated risk level. Collaborating with a professional Land Surveyor can yield valuable insights into this subject matter. Additional information about FEMA flood maps and flood zones can be accessed at STLFlood.com.

In addition to the most common flood zones, which are listed above, there are some additional flood zones as well, below are a few of them:

• Zone A: These are areas subject to inundation by the 1-percent-annual-chance flood event. However, because no Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) or depths are shown, these are often referred to as 'Unnumbered A Zones' or 'Approximate A Zones'.
• Zone AO: These are areas subject to inundation by 1-percent-annual-chance shallow flooding (usually sheet flow on sloping terrain) where average depths are between one and three feet.
• Zone AH: These are areas subject to inundation by 1-percent-annual-chance shallow flooding (usually areas of ponding) where average depths are between one and three feet.
• Zone VE: These are coastal high-hazard areas where wave action and/or storm surge are factors. They have a 1% or greater chance of flooding each year, similar to Zone AE but with the added hazard associated with storm waves.
• Zone V: Like Zone VE, these areas are coastal high-hazard areas. They are subject to inundation by the 1-percent-annual-chance flood event with additional hazards due to storm-induced velocity wave action. Base Flood Elevations derived from detailed hydraulic analyses are shown within these zones.
• Zone D: These are areas with possible but undetermined flood hazards. No analysis has been conducted, and no flood hazard designations are assigned.